The studio has tweeted that they will drop Steve McQueen’s latest on December 27th, right in the thick of awards season. Featuring a ridiculously great ensemble including Chiwetel Ejiofor, Michael Fassbender, Scoot McNairy, Benedict Cumberbatch, Paul Giamatti, Paul Dano, Sarah Paulson, Garret Dillahunt, Ruth Negga, Taran Killam, Adepero Oduye, Alfre Woodard,Quvenzhané Wallis, Dwight Henry, Michael K. Williams and Brad Pitt, it will be a decidedly different take on slavery than Quentin Tarantino‘s rootin’ tootin’ hip-hop and Ennio Morricone-flavored “Django Unchained.”

The film tells the true story of Solomon Northup (Ejiofor), a free black man who is tricked back into slavery, faces a grueling life under several owners and has to go to court to reclaim his status. We presume this tale will not involve a German dentist and his colorfully-attired sidekick.

Basically, this is one that we’re hugely looking forward to, and we’re just glad it’s now officially on the calendar.